Geodis and Renault Trucks are launching Oygen, with the aim of developing an urban electric truck within one year for green and profitable urban logistics. The transport group and the builder are no less challenging each other on their energy transition programs. Geodis is still expecting more than 250 Ivecos at the BioGNC to deliver to 37 French cities. For its part, Renault Trucks launched its new D Wide ZE LEC with a low cab in July 2021.
Oxygen, a city truck
For Geodis, “the environmental emergency combined with the rise of e-commerce and the implementation of ZFE-m in major French cities requires accelerating the decarbonization of transport, says Marie-Christine Lombard, its Executive Director. We want to quickly provide concrete answers to the problem of sustainable urban logistics. President of Renault Trucks, Bruno Blin adds that “the image of the truck is changing. It is seen as an indispensable tool for cities. The objective of the Oxygen project is to design a truck that will fit into traffic and pedestrian areas, designed for the comfort and work safety of the driver and for the safety of city dwellers. »
Active safety and connectivity
The manufacturer has already defined the cabin for this Oxygen. It will be almost at curb height and with a high ceiling. With access by step and sliding door on the passenger side. Its wide windshield will give the driver a direct view of road users. “The driving position will remain on the left, but will no longer envelop the driver so that he can descend easily to the right or to the left,” explains Edouard Rochard, EV range director at Renault Trucks. Cameras, including one with 360° vision, will supplement the mirrors. The truck will carry a maximum of 1,000 kg of batteries. It will have a range of 150 km. And it will charge at 150kW on fast charge and 22kW at night. Its connectivity will open the doors by tactile contact and its connected tools will make delivery easier for the driver. The design aims to appeal to young drivers and female drivers. »
Unprecedented logistics performance
Geodis’ expectations are aimed at improving productivity. “The Oxygen will have a classic height ladder chassis. But it will be narrowed, with an overall dimension of around 2.35 m. Its length will not exceed 10 m to circulate in the narrow streets, evokes Edouard Rochard. It will have to carry enough light pallets so that its TCO equals that of a thermal truck. We must therefore consider equipping the Oxygen with a double floor. But also a lighter and rising tailgate that could unload the high floor. The idea of a conveyor belt bringing the pallets to the edge of the checkout is mentioned. This is to reduce handling time. Ready at the end of 2022, the Oxygen prototype will be tested in 2023 until it achieves a neutral TCO before being marketed.
